Pacific Grove, CA

Walter Scott Clausen, 75, passed away on May 9, 2024, in Pacific Grove, California.

Born on December 6, 1948, in Coal City, Illinois, he was the beloved son of the late Walter H. Clausen and Ethel Mae Clausen, née Waters, and brother to the late Patricia Sue Clausen.

Walter, known as Scott, pursued higher education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in German and Secondary Education from 1966 to 1970. Right after college, he served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1973 as a Translator/Interpreter, utilizing his exceptional language skills in a pivotal role. He earned an M.A in Education from Chapman University in 1985.

Professionally, Scott dedicated much of his career to language education and testing, culminating in his role as Senior Test Project Director at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center in Monterey, CA, from September 1993 until his retirement in September 2011. His work had a lasting impact on language instruction and assessment within the military.

Scott's passions were as broad and vibrant as his personality. He was an ebullient spirit who found joy in every aspect of life. A talented linguist, he was also a great cook, an enthusiast of classic cars, and had a deep appreciation for mixology. His musical talents were expressed through playing the saxophone and clarinet. Travel and languages remained his enduring interests, enriching his life with diverse experiences and friendships.

He was a generous and devoted friend, known for being a great listener and a captivating raconteur. His absence will be profoundly felt by all who knew and loved him.

His memory will be cherished through the stories shared by those he touched and the legacy he leaves behind. Among his dearest friends and family are: Henry Bittaker, Patrick Bowles, Christine Campbell, Philip Cooper, Leisa Corbett, Susan Coughanur, Donna Daunt, Robert Daunt, Jay Kalbrener, Chung Yao Kao, Larissa Kashnir, Anders Webb, Camden Webb, Natalie Webb, and Ann Willis.

A celebration of Scott’s life will take place on October 12, 2024 For more information, email ScottClausenCelebration@outlook.com